Material for match-striking surfaces.



safety. strike-on-box variety.

OR lo070o023 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. FAIRBURN, OF SHORT HILLS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIG-NOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MATERIAL FOR MATCH-STRIKING SURFACES.

No Drawing.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 16, 1912.

Patented Aug. 12,1913. Serial No. 726,023.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. FAIR- BURN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Short Hills, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Material for Match-Striking Surfaces, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to material for "producing strilring surfaces for matches of the Heretofore the base of such material has been red amorphous phosphorus which, unless in a state of absolute purity-wh1ch is rare contains poisonous white or yellow phosphorus. Moreover, it must be manipulated with great care as otherwise it may explode or ignite violently. Again, it is generally necessary that the amorphous phosphorus be associated with black antimony sulfid in order that the composition may best subserve its function, thereby precluding the coloring of the composition. For these reasons, among others, the use of red amorphous phosphorus (or any other allotropic form of phosphorus) in the manufacture of striking-surface compositions is objectionable.

The main object of my invention is to provide an efiicient striking-surface material, which is free from amorphous phosphorus, and which may, if desired, be colored. To that end I employ, as the basic ingredient of the material, sesquisulfid of phosphorus (P S )a definite stable compound which when properly prepared not only is free from white or yellow phosphorus and other poisonous impurities but is less liable than amorphous phosphorus to explode violently while being manipulated. This material produces a surface which eifects a smooth ignition of the match head composition with slight rubbing friction, as thereby combus-' tion is produced at a lower temperature than in the case of a striking surface containing amorphous phosphorus. The temperature of ignition of red amorphous phosphorus is" 'phorus and ,asbestos the sesquisulfid of phosphorus is a non-combustible substance which obviates any liability of accidental ignition of the sesquisulfid of phosphorus by the friction thereon of the elements constituting the head of the match, which substance is of such character as to permit the efficient use of coloring ingredients in the composition. This fireproofing substance preferably comprises asbestos powder, which, together with the sesquisulfid of phosphorus, is mixed with suitable binding, abrasive and filling agents, and the whole worked into a paint of proper consistency for application to the sideof a match box. For example, thefollowing mixture may be used: Sesquisulfid of phosphogis, 6 parts, by weight; asbestos powder 3 parts, by weight; glass lflfi'ft', by weight; gum arabic; parts, by weight; and water parts, y weight. This mixture is white or pale yellow, and hence any suitable coloring matter may be added thereto as desired.

The proportion herein given is not of the essence of my invention as the same may be varied to meet particular requirements. Moreover other fire-proofing, binding, abrasive and filling substances may be used instead of those herein specified.

I claim as my invention- 1. The herein described material for striking surfaces for matches of the safety strikeon-box type, the said material containing, as essential ingredients, sesquisulfid of phos:

phorus and a non-combustible substance, the

the ignition to the match composition that .is brought in contact with said material.

2. The herein described material for striking surfaces for matches of the safety strikeon box type, the said material containing, as essential ingredients, ses uisulti d g f phgsj The herein d scri ed material for strik- Eaing surfaces for matches of the safety strike- -on-box type, the said material being composed of sesquisulfid of phosphorus, asbestos powder, inert substance, and abinding agent.

4. The herein described material for strik- State of New York this 15th day of October ing surfaces for matches of the safety strike- A. D. 1912. on-boX type the said material being comw posed of sesfquisulfid of phosphorus, asbes- WILLIAM t :5 tos powder, inert substance, a binding agent, Witnesses:

and coloring matter. JOHN K. NOLAN,

- Signed at New York in the county and B. CHANDLER SNEAD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,- D. G. 

